Vietnam affirms cooperative relations with Indonesia, Iran

Receiving Ambassador Denny Abdi, Hue highly appreciated Indonesia’s role both regionally and globally as a member of the G20, saying Vietnam is Indonesia’s only strategic partner in Southeast Asia.

He recalled that during the State visit to Indonesia by the Vietnamese President in 2022, the two countries completed negotiations on the delimitation of an exclusive economic zone (EEZ), and expressed hope that the two sides’ legislatures would soon consider and ratify this important document so that it would be implemented in reality.

Abdi for his part said that Indonesia wishes to cooperate closely with Vietnam not only for mutual benefit, but also for common interests of the region and the world at large. He valued the efficiency of trade cooperation between the two countries and underlined the need to better promote growth in the region, especially in the current period.

The Indonesian ambassador noted that the completion of the EEZ negotiations between Vietnam and Indonesia is the most convincing evidence showing that countries can resolve disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Completing procedures regarding this agreement would help the two countries expand cooperation in the fields of seafood processing, aquaculture, and fisheries cooperation, contributing to ensuring food security in the region, he said.

He highlighted energy transition as a challenge to Indonesia and Vietnam, and said both countries expect to receive assistance to realise the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) deal.

As the two countries have a young population structure which is considered a competitive advantage, the Indonesian Ambassador hoped that the top Vietnamese legislator would have the voice in promoting cooperation in research and education between the two countries.

Agreeing with the ambassador’s opinions, Chairman Hue noted that both Vietnam and Indonesia are coping with global challenges, including digital transformation and just energy transition. Given the current context, he said each country focuses on restructuring trade and investment in a more balanced way, while promoting cooperation and maintaining quality supply chains in the field of maritime and fishing, as well as for fisheries and agricultural products.

On this occasion, Hue affirmed that Vietnam would do its best to support Indonesia in successfully organizing the upcoming ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) meeting. He also hoped that Indonesia would support the Vietnamese National Assembly in successfully hosting the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians.

At another meeting for Indonesian Ambassador Ali Akbar Nazari, Hue spoke highly of the positive development of the cooperative relations between Vietnam and Iran and affirmed that Vietnam desires to increase multifaceted cooperation with Iran.

Nazari for his part affirmed that Vietnam is Iran’s trusted friend and that Iran attaches importance to relations with Vietnam.

Marking 50 years of diplomacy between Vietnam and Iran this year, he said a number of activities will be held, including high-level visit exchanges, a cultural week, film screenings, sport games and friendship exchanges between the two countries.

According to the Iranian ambassador, Vietnam and Iran have many things in common. Vietnam has a high growth rate, while Iran is an energy producer and exporter, with great potential for cooperation in the fields of industry, aviation, and agriculture. The two countries can jointly tap into this potential to benefit their people, he said.

Emphasizing the importance of parliamentary diplomacy, the Ambassador welcomed the two legislative bodies’ efforts to strengthen coordination and support for each other at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Meanwhile, National Assembly Chairman Hue said on the back of the 50-year relationship, Vietnam wishes to promote comprehensive relations with Iran, and that the two countries can share experience in national construction and development.

He invited the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Iranian parliament) to send delegates to the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians to be held in Hanoi this September.

The Iranian ambassador assured his host that young Iranian parliamentarians would attend this conference.